Washer for classifying coal, minerals, or the like



July 17, 1923. 1,462,418

1.. MALEco-r WASHER FOR CLASSIFYING COAL, MINERALS, OR THE LIKE Filed March 1922' are.

FATE

LUCIEN MALECOT, OF GRAND CROIX, FRANCE.

WASHER FOR CLASSIFYING COAL, lWINER-ALS, UR THE LIKE.

Application filed March 8, 1922.

T 0 aZZ w 710m. 2' t may concern:

Be it known that I, LUOIEN Mnraicor, a citizen of the French Republic, residing in Grand Croix, France have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Washers for Classifying loal, Minerals, or the like, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to apparatus for washing coals, carbonaceous shales, metallic minerals and similar materials.

According to the invention the apparatus effects first a rough classification of the ma terials by a horizontal current of water and afterwards eifects a final classification by a vertical ascending current. A better separation of the products is obtained in this way than with other known washing apparatus. I

The accompanying drawing shows diagrammatically examples of arrangements according to the invention. I

Fig. l is a sectional longitudinal elevation of the apparatus.

I Fig. 2 is a sectional plan on the line 1-1 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a modification relating to the longitudinal arrangement of the apparatus.

A vertical conduit a of rectangular cross section is traversed by an ascending current of water and provided with a channel Z) carr ing a valve or cock '0 for regulating the speed of this current. This vertical conduit unites with a channel (1? which has a gentle slope.

Two partitions e and f are arranged in the lateral hopper g which is placed in communication with the ascending current by an opening it and with the channel (Z by an opening 2'.

The height of the partitions e and f is determined so that the water from the channel cl on the one part and the water of the ascending current on the other part do not pass by the hopper g; the water which is in the hopper consequently remains in a static condition without any current in either direction, and this condition is easily realized by a suitable regulation of .the height of the partitions e and f. A sheet 7' of which the height is regulated by a wedge k which allows the current from the channel (5 to flow into the apparatus at a suitable height.

The action is as follows; assuming that,

Serial No. 542,053.

for example, coal is to be washed: The products to be treated are carried forward by the horizontal flow of the water in the channel (Z. On leaving the sheet j the particles arrive at the opening 7:; at this moment the trajectory of the particles of shale is much more inclined than the trajectory of the particles of coal and the opening e' can be adjusted so that all the particles of shale pass through this opening and fall into the hopper 9 while the particles of: coal are'drawn by the current in the channel and pass above the opening.

Practically the sheet j and the partitions e and can be adjusted so that all the particles of shale and even some particles of coal pass through the opening 5 and afterwards pass through the opening 7t into contact with the ascending current "which finishes the separation which has been commenced by the opening The speed of the ascending current is regulated so that all the particles of coal are caused to ascend by the current, while the particles of shale descend to the bottom of. the apparatus and are discharged in any suitable manner.

The ascending current effects consequently the final classification which has been commenced by the horizontal current pass ing above the opening Fig. 3 shows a modification of the apparatus in which a single vertical partition Z effects the classification by separating the trajectories of the shale and coal. The shale particles are led into the lateral hopper m following" a trajectory a, while the coal particles follow the trajectory 0.

Two or more apparatus can be placed inthe same channel and by suitably regulating the ascending current in each apparatus, in the first apparatus the stones and shales can be collected and in the succeeding apparatus the particles of intermediate density.

Having thus described the nature of the said invention and the best means I know of carrying the same into practical effect, I claim 1. Apparatu for separating grading mineral substances, comprising an approximately horizontal water conveying}; conduit, a vertical conduit connected at its lower end to said horizontal conduit through which said water flows upwardly for effecting the final separation of said substances, a hopper containing substantially stationary water connected to the upper end of said vertical conduit, and a slightly sloping conduit through which water carrying the sub-- stances to be separated flows, said sloping conduit having av passageway to said hopper,

at which passageway the preliminary separation of said substances is e'ltected.

2. Apparatus for separating and grading mineral substances comprising a slightly inclined conduit through which water conveying saidsubstances flows, a vertical conduit, means for causing an upward flow of water in said vertical conduit, a hopper containing;

substantially stationary water connected at its lowerend with the upper part of said vertical conduit and at its'upper end with said inclined conduit, and a vertical partition between the upper part of said hopper and said vertical conduit. i

- 3. Apparatus for separating and grading mineral substances comprising a conduit through which water carrying said substances'tlows in an appronimately horizontal direction, a vertical conduitand means for causing an upward flow of water in said verticalconduit to effect the final separation ofsaid. substances. a hopper at the upper end of said vertical conduit containing substantially stationary water, a vertical partition forming one wall. of said hopper, said hopper beina'in communication below said partition with said vertical conduit, a horizontal partition at the upper end of said er-- tieal partition and'over whichsaid Water carrying said substances passes, said horizontal partition extending partially over said hopper to afford a passageway for the passage of the lighter particles from said first mentioned conduit to said hopper for effecting the preliminary separation of said substances.

a. Apparatus for separating and grading mineral substances comprising a slightly inclined conduit for the passage of water carrying the substances to be separated, 'a sheet of rigid material forming the base of a portionof said conduit. means for adjusting the inclination of said sheet, a vertical conduit, means tor producing" an ascending current of water in said vertical conduit, a

said first named conduit to said hopper.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification. V

LUCIEN MALECOT;

. lVitnesses: I I

MARIUS EFLnormr, F, Bno'r. 

